A CALL has gone out for solidarity across the borough after the chairman of a parish council declared he would “stand up and be counted” in efforts to fight flooding.

A CALL has gone out for solidarity across the borough after the chairman of a parish council declared he would “stand up and be counted” in efforts to fight flooding.

Geoff Freemen and fellow councillors resolved to hold meetings with other parish representatives and create a united front to Anglian Water, who they hold responsible for a long history of flood problems.

They have also vowed to send a letter to Great Yarmouth Borough Council in an effort to stop any more large-scale development around the village without sewerage improvements.

At a meeting in Ormesby on Monday night, Mr Freeman railed against Anglian Water, who he said “only worry about their shareholders”.

His words follow what he described as “27 years of misery” experienced at his home, which he said is now subject to planning blight because of flooding problems.

They also come after continued troubles around the pumping station in Decoy Road and dissatisfaction around the effectiveness of a �1.7m pipeline project installed in 2008 to help the station cope. He said: “Two years ago we were promised we would see the maintenance schedule for the station on Decoy Road. Now it looks like a tip - if the outside is in such an appalling state with cones and bricks, what is the inside of the pumping station like?”

Other concerns raised included a pungent smell from a recently installed sub-pumping station on Thoroughfare Road, and reports that its vibrations were being felt in a neighbouring house. Having highlighted other problem areas like Hemsby, Bradwell and Martham, the parish council will make efforts to discuss where to go from here.

Hemsby parish council clerk Shirley Weymouth agreed with the idea of strength in unity, but said she thought it should be led by the borough council.Pointing to contingency meetings held in the past, she added: “We had something like that set up with the borough council over water issues, which was ended about 18 months ago, and you felt like you were getting somewhere with them.

“Parish councillors could meet with county councillors, and representatives of people like Anglian Water but it was stopped so now everyone is having to bang their own drum - we should get that back.”